Pictured with the four is their other brother, Mark, who is 12 years old. Mark is afraid to come to the Hotel. Petronilia takes his food to him. He, too, is HIV/AIDS free.

"Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these."

Matthew 19:14 NIV

Here is one set of the many abandoned and/or orphaned children who are being supported by this ministry. Sitting with Kaleche are siblings - from left to right, are Janemary Ndinda (4 yrs old), Stacy Ndanu (3 yrs old), Petronila Mwikali (13 yrs old), and Raymond Nthiwa (9 yrs old). They live in the village of Nguluni. Both parents have died of AIDS, leaving Petronila to take care of her younger siblings who all have AIDS as well. Petronila, herself, is AIDS/HIV free.

The world's best CHAPATI is made here at Hotel Kaleche!

A Gift from Raymond

The kids cannot pay for their meals, so this child actually climbed an avocado tree, picked this bagful of full of avocados and brought them to us as a gift.

Faster...Kaleche...Faster

Kaleche is not feeding Stacy fast enough. Petronilia and Raymond find this very amusing.

Fear keeps him away

Sibling, Mark, will not come to the hotel because he is afraid. Petronilia takes his food to him. His HIV status is unknown.

HELP EDUCATE THEM!!

Those who can afford it, send their children to school. Most go to boarding school. Others go to public schools. Either way, they have to pay. Schools here are NOT free! What's more - there is no such thing as a late fee or late payment. Here, they have one simple rule - If your school fees are due today and you don't pay today, your child goes home today. Period!

Being a single parent is hard enough for an adult. Imagine how life is for 13-year-old Petronilia who has the responsibility of taking care of a whole family on her own. This child has no idea what it's like to just be a child.

Pictured here is Petronilia, her four siblings and their grandfather. The grandfather has been very sick for a long time and is unable to work. He has not been able to take care of the children. Petronilia had to take on the roles of mother, father and caregiver all in one!

Without help, the grandfather can get the needed medication and will never regain his strength to take over the role as caregiver for his family. Without help, these children will not be able to go to school to get a much needed education. Without help, this is yet another set of children who may not have a chance at a future. Without help, these children cannot get the much needed medication and will have an automatic death sentence. Won't you please help?

Behold, children are a heritage from the LORD, the fruit of the womb a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior are the children of one’s youth. Blessed is the man who fills his quiver with them! He shall not be put to shame when he speaks with his enemies in the gate.

Psalm 127:3-5

The only hope these children have comes from help they receive from others. The children are very thin and look much younger than they really are due to sickness and malnutrition.

The stress of raising four children - three of whom are sickly and need medication - combined with caring for an elderly grandparent is taking a serious toll on 13-year-old Petronilia. She has been forced to "grow up" and is doing the best she can to keep her family alive.